Free Smartphones for Low-Income Senior Households

For you to take full advantage of an AI enabled speaker, a smartphone and WiFi connectivity are essential. Sadly, among Americans ages 65 and older with an annual household income of less than $30,000, only 27% own smartphones.

Fortunately, there's a program that addresses this: Assurance Wireless. This is a terrific public-private partnership between T-Mobile and the Federal government. If you qualify, you receive a free smartphone, free unlimited text, free 1,000 talk minutes, and free 4.5 GB Data - all on the T-Mobile Network.

But 1,000 minutes and 4.5GB of data don't last long :(

Don't worry, I have your back. There is another Federal program for low-income households: Lifeline. Lifeline is a FCC program that helps make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. Lifeline provides subscribers a discount on qualifying monthly telephone service, broadband Internet service, or bundled voice-broadband packages purchased from participating wireline or wireless providers.

And, yes, T-Mobile participates in the federal Lifeline program. So you can get your free phone from the Assurance Wireless on the T-Mobile network. And then continue with low-cost monthly service enabled by the Lifeline program.

Below are the links to apply for the Assurance Wireless and Lifeline programs. If you have a loved one in low-income senior household without a smartphone, please support them in getting connected so that they can live their best lives.

Assurance Wireless for free smartphones: https://www.assurancewireless.com/

Applying for Lifeline to get low-cost monthly connectivity service: https://getinternet.gov/apply?id=nv_home&ln=RW5nbGlzaA%3D%3D

Helpful information on applying for Lifeline: https://www.fcc.gov/lifeline-consumers